We are
a lamentation of swans-
singing our last song
of war:
we’re staying afloat-
our home is a boat
bobbing on the waves
in a dance of death-
we are afraid
our dream is pieced
by the keeper of peace
of a heartily belligerent shore—
we are afraid
we are letting
our hands and feet,
our throats and lips
go winter
Posted for dVerse Meeting the bar: Irony hosted by Frank Hubeny
sumanar/lekha 
Great use of irony…it has got layers of meaning….
our home is a boat
bobbing on the waves
in a dance of death-
we are afraid
our dream is pieced
by the keeper of peace
of a heartily belligerent shore………..loved these lines!
so much of contradiction too in these few tense lines. I almost feel their anxiety, from the movements of your words.
The inability to resolve their fears leads to this precarious home on this boat. Nice poem. Depending on one’s position in that conflict there are a lot of ways to interpret what is happening.
I felt every word of this, especially the lamentation of swans and our souls going winter. With so much wrong, we have to guard against that winter, though it hurts so much to stay in spring and hopeful. This is a powerful poem, my friend.
I specially love your opening lines…but sadly I fear the ending due to war ~
The courage it takes to risk so much..mind boggling!
Nice write Sumana!
Giving all up for a desperate chance of a new life. Horrible.
Poignant and troublesome. Well written.
A rock and a hard place
fire or water…. maybe the only way to escape death is to keep running.
A deep and fine write, poignant indeed.
Kind regards
Anna :o]
So utterly sad and scary. I count my blessings!
Lots of sly contradictions here give this a nice punch which speak truly to the context — a terse and well written piece. ~peace, Jason
The depth and layers of your poem really grab me. I feel for those souls and hope they find a safe summer harbor.
the weight of these words. the way you lightly weaved them but retain the depth. so beautiful.
It’s chilling. The image and words cut deep.